Question
Dear Lawrence,

In 2006 i vigorously lifted some weights and did two repetitions with my arms outstretched. Within two days my muscles in my neck, shoulders and chest had contracted into spasms. I have had MRI scans, X-rays and an ultra sound but each time these have come back as normal as nothing sinister such as tears or breaks were found. It has therefore been decreed that i have nerve damage that is causing the pain which has also now spread to my lumber region, back of my left leg, my clavical, tops of arms and back of head. I have muscle spasms 24/7 and after much toing and froing with doctors trying to convey to them just how much pain im in they have put me on gabapentin which hardly touches upon the pain. I have found that the only medication that works effectively is diazepam as this completely  relaxes my muscles which means no pain but as this is not politically correct my doctors do not provide me with enough to allow me to just get on with my life. Also i find that the muscle spasms have had a drastic effect on my facial features which make my face look like a punctured football and i can no longer bear looking in the mirror what with my looks ravaged and in constant chronic pain. I also worry that my body being in constant spasm is going to start affecting my spine and cause a muscle imbalance. Ive acquired a protruding disk at C3 since the spasms started. The only excercise i can do without triggering more pain is walking.Im at my wits end with the pain, doctors indifference, inadequate medication and the impact that this is having on my life. I would appreciate any advice on the details i have provided above. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Sharon,

I understand and I can help.

As to muscle imbalance and affecting your spine, that's what you've described.

Fortunately, there's an easy way out -- and I don't think you have nerve damage; I think you sent yourself into a large spasm with your weight training, possibly with nerve impingements.

Here's the easy way out:  visit somatics.com/page4b.htm and look at, "What You Can Do about Your Own Back Pain."  Do the training exercise at the end of the article; you should start feeling better quickly.  Then get the program, The Cat Stretch (instruction in no-stretch stretching) at somatics.com/page7.htm or find a practitioner at somatics.com/practitioners.htm.  You need to be trained out of being musclebound.  Stretching won't do it, nor will massage, skeletal adjustments, or medication.

Read the article, "On Weight Training," also at somatics.com/page4b.htm.  That will explain what happened (what you did to yourself).  If you start weight training, again, you'll need to know what's in the article.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold